Atos medical tomorrow :(

[haziefantasie]

Hi everyone

Ive got my medical tomorrow morning as Ive applied for esa, & Im absolutely s******g myself. Ive been trying not to think about it since I got the letter but its just hit me that I have to go & Im so scared.

Ive never had to do anything like this before - I was working full time until recently. Then I hit a new low & handed my notice in at work as its contributed to my mental health getting worse plus I just couldnt face going back once everyone found out I attempted suicide. I want to work but I just need some time to get myself sorted out first.

So does anyone have any advice on what to expect? Ive got noone to go with me, please help x

[Bruno58]

Hi, first thing I have to say is I haven't been to an ATOS medical myself, did they send you a form to fill in or have you just received a letter saying you have to attend? also did the DWP contact you about this?

I will try to advise and support you if I can, I have copied and saved your post.

Try to keep calm, are you sure you cannot find anyone to go with you?

J.

[pinkdove]

Hi Haziefantazie, yes i was the same as you, gave up my job because of anxiety and depression, and was so worried when i had to go for my medical, cause at the time i was suffering with agraphobia too, however i managed to get there, and it hardly took 5 minutes, just a few questions, but tell them everything you are feeling, try not to worry, it really is'nt bad at all, and takes hardly any time , let me know how you get on and good luck xx

[haziefantasie]

No I didnt get a questionnaire, I was late sending a sick note so I think thats why theyve automatically put me down for a medical. Ive got noone as my family all live miles away and my friends all work :weep:

[Bruno58]

Ok lets have a think...when did the letter arrive? what was the reason for the late sick note.?

Are you able to reach the place you have been told to go easily..

---------- Post added at 22:25 ---------- Previous post was at 22:21 ----------


Hi Haziefantazie, yes i was the same as you, gave up my job because of anxiety and depression, and was so worried when i had to go for my medical, cause at the time i was suffering with agraphobia too, however i managed to get there, and it hardly took 5 minutes, just a few questions, but tell them everything you are feeling, try not to worry, it really is'nt bad at all, and takes hardly any time , let me know how you get on and good luck xx

Pinkdove, have you received the result of your medical?

J.

[haziefantasie]

I got the letter about a week ago, and the sick note was late as I couldnt get an appointment with my doctor. I know I have to go, Ive been told theyll stop my money otherwise. I just hate the thought of someone asking me allsorts of questions, Ive heard horror stories about how the assessors dont listen to you and arent at all understanding. I dont know how I could cope with that

[london]

DONOT go there alone take a friend in with you
tell them to take notes
good luck
god bless

[Bruno58]

That's very short notice and I have the same problem arranging an app't with the doctor.

Have you seen my thread in the Misc section about atos?

I am thinking you should not go to the appointment as you have good reasons not to and are clearly in no condition to attend, this is of course your decision to make I can't tell you what to do, I'm sorry you don't have anyone to go with you...I would if I could for support and to make sure it was done correctly but it would look like I'm some sort of criminal !!!

I'm thinking you should go and explain what has happened about your sick note, go in your scruffy clothes and look down and out etc...its tough to do this I know.

I should mention I have been to quite a few medicals in the past 20 years but not since atos took these over from the DWP/Benefits Agency.

I'll stay online for as long as you like if you need to talk:hugs:

J.

[haziefantasie]

Ive just had a read of your thread bruno58, it sounds like youre having a nightmare with them. Thank you for your advice, & also london & pinkdove.

My appointment isnt until 10.40 so I think Ill try to ring dwp & atos first thing & see what they say. Maybe if I can get it postponed I might be able to get someone to come with me. Im very scared of them stopping my money as I live on my own & I havent got my housing benefit yet so am in a mess financially already x

[Bruno58]

hazie you have my sympathy and support, I am trying my best not only for myself but for people like you and all the others, its not good enough we are being treated this way and I will fight until I die to change this disgusting and unacceptable situation, fire and brimstone I will erupt from me I assure you.

Try to phone them but I have read that it is difficult to get through to atos as so many people are ringing, as you may have read I have refused to play...I will post again on that thread tomorrow...just a small update...not much to report at the moment.

If you don't think its practical to attend put your reasons in writing if you can (tomorrow) and tell them, I understand your difficulties and wish I could help at this time but that's not practical either, its up to you if you go or not, you can appeal if they stop or refuse any help as I have done.

sending good thought's to you now :)

J.

[eight days a week]

I got the letter about a week ago, and the sick note was late as I couldnt get an appointment with my doctor.

You just need to write a short letter when you send the sicknote in late explaining you couldn't get an appointment in time - of course they understand that (it happens all the time!)

If you feel you can't attend I'm sure it will be fine as long as you let them know (but tell them in no certain terms that you were not able to attend) :)

Bruno - it is not hard to get through to ATOS, I have phoned them many times, please check your facts before posting advice to others on things like this and possibly worrying them unduly.

I understand your frustrations, completely, but please don't let your experiences cloud your advice to others. Cheers!

[Bruno58]

eight days a week,
thank you for your advice, I know my facts as I have first hand experience with atos...I will say that phone calls are not my way of dealing with serious situations as I have had many of those which I now find are useless as I have nothing in WRITING..this is important if you need to go back and quierie (sp?) something which you have been told...believe me its a real problem.

I am looking at the worst case senario and if haziefantasie can get to speak to atos and re arrange the appoinment then I will be pleased...YES?

I do not wish to cause distress to anyone I am trying to help the best I can using my own experience with these people..I trust you can understand this.

John.

P.S. I am not frustrated by the way.....I'm waiting for your response and any further advice you can give me.

[haziefantasie]

Well I rang dwp first & they said it was nothing to do with my sick note, it was just my time to attend. She said it was weird that I hadnt had an esa50 questionnaire though so she advised me to call atos & check. They said that it didnt matter, I needed to attend anyway.

So I managed to get myself together & go, & it wasnt as bad as I had expected. The lady seemed nice & it lasted about 20 mins I think. I keep thinking of things I shouldve said though, such as my lack of concentration. My mind kept going blank when I was there. Ill just have to wait & see what happens I guess. Am glad its over & done with now anyway, thanks again for all the support x

[london]

did any one go with you
how did you get there
god bless

[haziefantasie]

I went on my own & got the metro, it was only 10 mins from home. She did ask me that in the interview, am guessing itll go against me. Im expecting the worse to be honest, I really cant see me passing it x

[london]

dont give up yet
god bless

[eight days a week]

So I managed to get myself together & go, & it wasnt as bad as I had expected. The lady seemed nice & it lasted about 20 mins I think. I keep thinking of things I shouldve said though, such as my lack of concentration. My mind kept going blank when I was there. Ill just have to wait & see what happens I guess. Am glad its over & done with now anyway, thanks again for all the support x

They seem very nice and understanding in my experience, and then you get the results back and see they gave you no points :lac: To be honest I think their standard practice is to try to fail everyone with mental health issues and then see how many bother to appeal...if you go as far as tribunal you have a great chance of passing, as they actually listen to you and give you time (again in my experience) and actually properly assess your condition. Many people with mental health challenges won't feel able to get that far and give up too soon, which imho is partly what they're counting on, it's scandalous :mad:


I went on my own & got the metro, it was only 10 mins from home. She did ask me that in the interview, am guessing itll go against me. Im expecting the worse to be honest, I really cant see me passing it x

Being able to go ten minutes from home doesn't equal being able to bloody work!! Best of luck to you, well done for making it :hugs:


eight days a week,
thank you for your advice, I know my facts as I have first hand experience with atos...I will say that phone calls are not my way of dealing with serious situations as I have had many of those which I now find are useless as I have nothing in WRITING..this is important if you need to go back and quierie (sp?) something which you have been told...believe me its a real problem.

I am looking at the worst case senario and if haziefantasie can get to speak to atos and re arrange the appoinment then I will be pleased...YES?

I do not wish to cause distress to anyone I am trying to help the best I can using my own experience with these people..I trust you can understand this.

John.

P.S. I am not frustrated by the way.....I'm waiting for your response and any further advice you can give me.

Hi John,

Firstly, sorry for possibly appearing to be like a cross teacher. When I was able to last work I was for many years - you guessed it! - a cross teacher :roflmao:

By 'your frustration' I meant your background of frustration over your fights with ATOS. I've read all about them from your posts and completely understand where you're coming from, and support you in all that you do :)

I understand that it's often best to have everything in writing if you can, but don't think that was necessary here, and really my only point was that I've never found it at all hard to get them on the phone when you need to.

I hope I've explained myself properly and wish you all the best :)

[Bruno58]

Hello Peter,

Thanks for your PM...:)

John.


P.S. Its all sorted now folks and we are contact.

[shackaak]

I understand completely what you are going through.

I've been off work since November last year due to Anxiety (long story but have basically been the victim of a conman who has ruined my life, possibly my career and devistated my family - now we're in the middle of a complicated fraud investigation with the police). I had my medical on 14th October 2011 but haven't yet had a result in writing. On 29th October, I received a letter to tell me about the changes to ESA for those receiving contribution based ESA and in the Work Related Group. I rang the ESA people this morning to ask if this was a standard letter to everyone or was I in the Work Related Group - and they confirmed that I have passed the medical:yesyes:

I think i'm still in shock at getting through it. I was a bag of nerves leading up to the assessment and went to pieces during the assessment. I couldn't even leave the building for 1/2 hour after the assessment as I was in a right state. Even my doctor had warned me that he knew of very few people with mental health issues who passed.

I've worked for my company for the last 25 years and they are keeping my job open for me until i'm well enough to return and I did tell them this during the assessment but I know I'm not ready to go back to work yet. (To make it worse, I work in Financial Services so being the victim of all this fraud won't go down well with my job).

I just wanted to tell people not to give up with this medical and automatically think you will fail it. I'm proof that some of us do get through. Good luck everyone.

[haziefantasie]

As I predicted I failed the medical, just found out today. Dont know what on earth Im going to do now, am so fed up :weep:

[cathycrumble]

I go to a group therepy session and there are quite a few of the people there who have failed but then appealed and got through. I have had one meeting which I hated as I hate having my blood pressure taken and god knows why he did that. And I had to touch my toes he was going on about my shoulder injury i sufferd in a car crash I was there for anxiety as i lost my job last nov because I had been off a lot that year due to a marriage break up and was in hospital with a water infection so I was in a state I really am dreading the next one. I just want to go back to work can't be doing with the 20 questions i felt like I was wrong for being out of work. And what makes me mad is that I have always worked.

I think people who have mental proplems are being made to feel even worse by going for these medicals :ohmy:

Cathy xx

[Bruno58]

hazie I am so sorry you are being put through this,

first thing you must write a short letter of appeal and send it recorded delivery back to them within 1 month, they have to acknowledge your request.

John.xx

[haziefantasie]

Thanks for your replies as always :)

After a week of burying my head in the sand & attempting to get help from CAB (they were useless) I finally got my appeal form sent off today. Just hope it gets accepted & things go ok.

Does anyone know how long it normally takes for payments to be reinstated once theyve received the appeal? Am now worrying I cant afford my rent, will become homeless etc etc x